Control means for irrigation ditches



July 22, 1930.

J. DORAZIO CONTROL MEANS FOR IRRIGATION BITCHES Filed Aug. 14, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Patented July 22, 1930 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH DORAZIO, F PUEBLO, COLORADO CONTROL MEANS FOR IRRIGATION BITCHES Application filed August 14, 1928. 'Serial No. 299,586.

around said present-day valve structures employed between the main ditch and the branch ditches.

An important object of the invent-ion resides in the provision of a novel control embodying a pair of gate valve bodies secured together in right angular or substantially right angular relation and having gate valve members whereby the water may be diverted through either or both of the bodies as desired.

Another object of importance resides in the particular manner by which these bodies are connected in that one of the bodies is substantially longer than the other, whilethe latter is secured to the longer body at a point inwardly from one end thereof so as to provide an anchoring flange adapted to be embedded Within the side of the ditch to prevent the leakage of water around the structure.

Still another object is accomplished by reason of the fact that the structure is to be constructed entirely of some durable material such for instance as steel to materially cut down the necessity of the farmers constant vigilance in respect to the proper opera tion of the control structures now employed which necessitate at frequent intervals, the banking of earth around the ends of the structures to prevent hitch, and furthermore, the same being usually constructed of wood quickly deteriorates and requires replacement.

After considering the following specification and claim, other important objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of the structure disclosing the inner side of one of the 6 gates.

Fig. 2 is a top plan viewof the entire structure. a J v Fig. 3 is another side elevation of the structure disclosing the outer side of the longer body. q 7

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view through the structure taken substantially on the line letofFig. 1, and looking downwardly,andf- Q V Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the valveplate employed on each of the bodies.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, theinvention embodies a pair of valve bodies referred to generally by numerals 1 and 2 respectively,

the same being connected together in substantially right angular relation. The valve body 2 is substantially longer than thebody 1, and consists in construction-of an elongated base plate 3, having an upstanding plate 4 secured to each end thereof, the inner edges of'which are diverged slightly in upward disposition. Bars 55. abut the-edge of the base plate 3 and are secured to the upstanding plates 4+4 at the base plate sides thereof in a manner to longitudinally project a substantial distance beyond the inner edges thereof.

An angle bar 6 issecured tothelinner edge portion of one of the upstanding plates 4, while a bar 7 is secured to the inner edge portion of the other upstanding plate 4. The bar 7 is secured to the plate at in a manner so as to projectlongitudinally beyond. the inner edge thereof. bar 8 is secured longitudinally to the angle bar 6, and spaced therefrom by means of a strip .The other valve body consistsin construction of a shorter base plate 10, secured at one end to the lower end portion of the angle bar 6, while its opposite end is provided with an upstanding plate 11. The "upstanding plate 11 has its inner edge portion provided withbars 12-12 secured to the opposite sides thereof and adaptedtoproject for a substan tial distance beyond the edge thereof.

The'spacer 9 and thejupstanding plate 11 havetheir opposed edges diverged slightly in upward disposition. Horizontally disposed angle bars 13 and 14 respectively, are secured to the respective bodies 1 and 2, The angle bar 13 has one end connected to the angle bar 6 While its opposite end is secured to one of the bars 12 at the upper portion of the body 1. The other bar 14 is secured at the upper portion of the body 2 between the strips 5.

These angle bars 13 and 14; respectively, serve to brace the upper portions of the structure embodying the bodies 1 and 2 respectively.

A valve plate 15 having its opposite longitudinal edge portions converged as slightly, so that when the plate is disposed within one of the bodies, the edges thereof will 15 wedge against the opposed diverged edges of its structural members. The upper corners of these plates 15 are beveled and an elongated opening 16 is formed in the upper end thereof, through which the operator may 20 insert his hand.

It will be seen from the foregoing descrip tion of the invention that the upstanding plate 4., to which the angle bar 6 is secured, as well as that end portion of the base bar 3,

connected thereto serve as an anchoring flange when the structure is properly set in an irrigation ditch.

The upstanding base 4 and 11 respectively also serve as anchoring portions and will 3 prevent the by-pass of water around the structure when the valve plates 15 are in closed position. As has been before stated, it is preferable that the structure be constructed of metal, such as steel, but this is not com pulsory as any material found fit may be employed and certain changes in the shape and size of the structure may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, or the scope of the appended claim.

4,; Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new is Control means for branch irrigation ditches comprising, a pair of gate bodies, one of said bodies being longer than the other and consisting of an elongated base plate provided with an upstanding plate at each end thereof, guide means at the inner edges of said upstanding plates and a valve member operable between said plates and said guide means, the other valve consisting in the construct-ion of a base plate secured at one end to the other base plate inwardly from one of its ends, an upstanding angle bar secured to the first-mentioned body and at its lower end to the second mentioned base bar, an upstanding plate at the opposite end of the base plate, guide means on the said angle bar, an upstanding plate, and a gate valve member operable between said guide means. In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOSEPH DORAZIO. 

